I have always been a fan of the English song covers of K-pop idols. It’s incredible how music can bind the artists and their fans, mixed with their passion and love for the art. I know how challenging it is to rank all English song covers, but I thought I might as well list a few of my favorites you may want to listen to. So, shall we start, then?
What Are K-pop’s Best Song Covers?
I only understand a few Korean words, so I appreciate it when K-pop idols cover English songs. When they perform, it feels like they own the piece, and it quickly communicates the music with their emotions. If I ever missed any of your favorites, do share them in the comments below, and I will gladly listen to them. For now, here are my top 20 English song covers of K-pop idols. Get ready for the heaven of a musical journey; I’m excited!
20) NCT’s Jaehyun – I Like Me Better by Lauv
Starting with a 1997-liner visual, NCT Jeong Jaehyun! Okay, I honestly can’t take my eyes off of Jaehyun, especially with his boyfriend-like videos in the video. Add his singing voice in English and the song choice. It was like a perfect mix of everything (really!) It was released four years ago, and can I just say that his voice is so handsome (of course, his face card does not decline)? How could you not fall when it’s the Jeong Jaehyun singing I Like Me Better in Paris, morning until night, with his simple tee and pants fit?
19) The Rose – ILYSB by LANY
A K-pop band singing a LANY song? Scratch that, a LANY love song, and I think my heart just exploded. The Rose’s vocalist, Woosung, laid all his heart into singing the lines, Oh, my heart hurts so good. I love you, babe, so bad. You wouldn’t want to miss this one, and stan The Rose, too! After four years, the video garnered over 41 million views, and I’m sure we all got the feels while listening to them perform the song. ILYSB, The Rose!
18) TXT – In My Blood by Shawn Mendes
From the earlier mentioned love songs, let’s take time to listen to TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s version of Shawn Mendes’s In My Blood. There’s no doubt that this would make it to our list of English song covers of K-pop idols because of so many emotions that the group effortlessly relayed. It’s Mendes’s song telling his story and experiences with mental health issues, and having TXT covering it made me think how it could be fitting for idols who also feel the same. The boy group also performed the song on Weekly Idol a year after their recorded version was released.
17) DREAMCATCHER – There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back by Shawn Mendes
From Shawn Mendes’s mellow track, here’s something completely different. The third-generation girl group, known for their rock music DREAMCATCHER, covered the pop singer’s There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back, and since then, it’s been one of my go-to feel-good songs. Given that they performed this in front of their fans, INSOMNIAs (in their concert!), it makes sense how this song is the most fitting for the event. They didn’t change the pronouns used, so for those female INSOMNIAs, I know you were flattered. Seriously, their English skills, their vocals, and everything else are chef’s kiss, and you should check it out!
16) TWICE’s Chaeyoung, ENHYPEN’s Heeseung – Off My Face by Justin Bieber
I can’t decide who to put in the sixteenth place in this English song covers of K-pop idols list, so here are both! I love to listen to TWICE Chaeyoung’s soothing voice, matched with the dreamy music video for this melody project. Interestingly, she’s the first female cover of Off My Face cover that I heard, which made it more special. And, of course, ENHYPEN Heeseung also has his entry, and I couldn’t get enough of how the JB track fits him, the voice, the vibes, and how genuine it felt when he started performing.
15) MAMAMOO’s Wheein – Honey by Kehlani
Okay, hear me out; I’m shocked to see that this MAMAMOO Wheein cover just has over 2.3 million views?! Three years since its release, and I still can’t get over the fact that this K-pop idol covered this Kehlani song, specifically Honey, and didn’t get much recognition for it. Nonetheless, it’s one of my favorite English song covers of K-pop idols: Wheein’s honey-sweet voice, the guitar accompaniment, and the charming video. How can we not fall for Whee’s charms?
14) BOL4, HENRY – Stuck With U by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber
Do you want a duet from K-pop soloists? I got you here! I know HENRY’s YouTube has a bunch of duets with different singers, but there’s something about this Stuck With U cover that catches my ears every time. The song choice is as great as the voices of BOL4 and HENRY complement each other. The best part, though? They sang this track inside a car, just like a simple jamming session with friends. Isn’t that fun? After two years, the track reached 15 million views on the video streaming platform. Let’s watch it more here!
13) VERIVERY – I’m So Tired by Lauv, Troye Sivan
This doesn’t get the necessary recognition, but I have to add them to this English song covers of K-pop idols list. It’s one of those songs that would give the Last Song Syndrome (LSS), and VERIVERY did a fantastic cover of this gem. Adding to their acting skills in the music video, their visuals, voices, and harmonies are the best combination. Even the group’s rappers sang, and everyone’s vocal skills shone with their respective parts. If you loved this one, you might want to check out VERIVERY’s other cover songs; it’s worth it!
12) JYPn now NMIXX’s Lily, Haewon – Survivor
I don’t think I can miss putting this song cover of NMIXX’s Lily and Haewon on this list. Before debuting as NMIXX, the members have been releasing covers, whether dance or vocals and this one is just a favorite. It was real music to my ears when I heard this live performance of them singing to Destiny Child’s Survivor. So, these are filmed and recorded during their trainee days, and they just slayed it great. Stan NMIXX and their beautiful vocals!
11) BTOB’s Changsub – Lost Stars by Adam Levine
Lee Changsub does it again, and it’s no surprise he’s up on this English song cover of K-pop idols ranked list. BTOB has always been known for their majestic harmony and incredible vocals. If you knew them as funny individuals and a boy group, this rehearsal video of Changsub screams talent in all aspects. Effortlessly, he perfectly covered this track, with all the adlibs and high notes reached. Undoubtedly, Changsub’s one of the best vocalists in the K-pop industry, and six years after this cover rehearsal, it’s still iconic!
10) BTS – Fix You by Coldplay
The stage and its lighting, the outfits, all members sat down and delivered this track so nicely; who am I not to add this precious cover to this list? BTS’s performance in MTV Unplugged will make you feel chills down your spine with their powerful vocals. NGL, when I first heard this one, I really double-checked whether it was BTS because they are known best for their rapping and dancing, and I couldn’t believe how they showed a full of emotions and heart-wrenching version of Coldplay’s Fix You.
9) PENTAGON’s Jinho – Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
An iconic Queen song needs an iconic cover, and PENTAGON’s Jinho did that. Four years ago, the boy group member released this song cover on United CUBE’s YouTube channel, and I can’t help but be amazed at it every time. All vocals he used are his, from the lead, second voice, and background; Jo Jinho carried the whole song by himself. The first time I listened to it, it gave me goosebumps, and after many years, it still had the same effect on me. So, if you missed this, watch it below!
8) (G)I-DLE’s Minnie – Nothing by Bruno Major
If you’re a NEVERLAND (or a girl group stan), I’m betting that this is also part of the top ten of your English song covers of K-pop idols. Imagine being serenaded and (G) I-DLE’s Minnie in front of you singing one of Bruno Major’s sweetest songs; who wouldn’t fold? It’s her subtle smiles while singing the lines with her eyes closed are actually heart-fluttering. It feels like she feels the song so much, and all the love overflows with every lyric. Oh, Minnie.
7) aespa’s Ningning – Always Remember Us This Way by Lady Gaga
It’s no debate that aespa’s Ningning, if not the best, is one of the amazing vocalists of the fourth generation of K-pop. With her guest appearance in Begin Again, she graced every viewer with her vocal prowess, and I can’t help but be in awe. Her voice control is so good she reaches high notes effortlessly and sings with every word understood and felt. She feels and owns the song, which is why I added it to this English song covers of K-pop idols ranked list. Worth rewatching!
6) BLACKPINK’s Rosé – Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez
It was her birthday, but Rosé gifted her fans with this song cover, and who are we to decline? Stephen Sanchez’s Until I Found You rose to fame with its loving lyrics, and the BLACKPINK member may have chosen to sing it for the BLINKs. She has this unique voice that would have you repeating this cover song. Rosé’s voice perfectly fits acoustic, mellow songs; it’s like a love song and a lullaby all in one!
5) NCT’s Doyoung – Falling by Harry Styles, Breathin’ by Ariana Grande
We’re now down to the last five in this English song covers of K-pop idols, and I couldn’t pick which cover of NCT Doyoung is worth putting here, so I added both. When the notification about Doie’s Falling cover popped out of my screen, all the speed in my body came to life to find my earphones; it was worth it. The video’s setting sets the vibe, and his voice, of course, it’s given!
Doyoung’s cover of Ariana Grande’s Breathin’ was about four years ago already. All those years, yet this is one of NCT’s song covers that I would gladly have on loop. With a range like Ariana, did I ever think of hearing Kim Doyoung sing this? It wasn’t on my bingo card, but I am mesmerized by how he effortlessly pulled this song cover off. Oh, I love his voice, really!
4) fromis_9’s Jiwon – 12:45 (Stripped) by Etham
If you do not know fromis_9’s Park Jiwon, then probably now is the right time to meet her. The 1998-liner is the main vocalist of PLEDIS Entertainment’s girl group and could pass as an underrated one. Jiwon’s song cover of Etham’s 12:45 solidifies that she is one of the best vocalists in the industry. Her voice is very much controlled, plus the pouring of emotions in this song, my breath was snatched. It’s not every day that I hear her use her low register and then her high notes. Her English pronunciation? Chef’s kiss!
3) DREAMCATCHER’s Siyeon – Speechless by Naomi Scott
Now, down to the last three in this English song covers of K-pop idols, DREAMCATCHER’s main vocalist wouldn’t miss this list. If you loved Siyeon’s voice in her normal range, you’ll appreciate how nice the vocalist’s high notes are. This Aladdin OST has been covered by many artists, and yes, even in the K-pop industry. Siyeon and her husky-like voice and clean high notes are what I love about this cover. Talk about another underrated vocalist, Lee Siyeon!
2) MAMAMOO’s Solar – Speechless by Naomi Scott
Yes, we have two Speechless covers in this list because I couldn’t help but add. MAMAMOO Solar’s live performance is living in my mind rent-free. The vocalist has been known for her splendid vocals, so covering this song isn’t surprising. However, Solar surprised the KCON crowd with this special stage in 2019. It had fans and listeners on the edge of their seats while Solar sang this Aladdin soundtrack. NGL, Yongsun seemed to master singing already, as she flawlessly reached all those up and down notes of the Speechless.
1) AKMU’s Lee Suhyun – Into the Unknown by Idina Menzel
And the winner for the best English song covers of K-pop idols list is none other than AKMU’s Lee Suhyun! Honestly, who wouldn’t love how flawlessly she sang one of Frozen 2’s tracks, Into The Unknown? She sang this on Begin Again, and I have to applaud her voice and how she gracefully did an ‘Elsa’ thing. Yes, she is so extra that she has an ice skating version while singing the high parts of the song. Check out Lee Suhyun, AKA the Elsa of South Korea, with this performance!
How about you? What are your favorite English song covers of K-pop idols? Let us know in the comments below, K-pop fans. Happy listening!